Museo de las Fiestas de la Reconquista

Museo de las Fiestas de la Reconquista, located in the historic center of Orihuela, is a small dedicated museum that tells the story of one of the city's most important celebrations — the annual Moros y Cristianos (Moors and Christians) festival. The museum was founded in 1985 to collect and display the festival costumes worn by the different "comparsas" (participating groups), along with posters, photographs, weapons, and musical instruments connected to the event.

Where is the museum located?

The museum sits at Calle Francisco Die 32-34, right in Orihuela's old town, within easy walking distance of the city's other historic sites. This makes it simple to combine a visit here with a broader tour of the center.

What is on display?

The permanent exhibition is organized around the two sides of the festival — the Moorish and the Christian groups. Visitors will find elaborately decorated parade costumes, banners, replica weapons, and the musical instruments used during the processions. The exhibition hall has been modernized with large display cases, a dedicated projection room, and audiovisual materials that help visitors understand the historical background of the celebration.

Special attention is given to the key figures and roles of the festival, such as the Embajador Moro (Moorish Ambassador), the Embajador Cristiano (Christian Ambassador), and "La Armengola," a symbolic character tied to a local legend about the defense of the city.

What history does the museum cover?

The exhibition traces the historical roots of the celebration back to the medieval Pact of Teodomiro and the period of feudal conquest in the region. It also explains how the festival became institutionalized over time — exhibition materials date formal celebrations back to the year 1400. The modern version of the festival familiar to residents and visitors today was re-established in 1974, and has since grown into one of Orihuela's most recognizable cultural events.

When should you visit?

The museum is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 to 14:00 and 16:00 to 19:00, and on Sundays and public holidays from 10:00 to 14:00. Between June 15 and September 13, summer hours apply: Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 15:00. It's worth checking current opening times before visiting, since seasonal schedules can shift.

Who is this museum for?

The museum appeals especially to visitors interested in local tradition, regional history, and how a living folk celebration shapes a modern festival. It pairs well with a visit during the actual Moros y Cristianos celebrations, but it also stands on its own outside festival season as a way to understand the event's importance to the city's identity.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was the museum founded? The museum was created in 1985 to preserve and display costumes, posters, and memorabilia connected to Orihuela's Moros y Cristianos festival.

What exactly can you see in the exhibition? Exhibits include parade costumes from the different festival groups, banners, replica weapons, and musical instruments, along with audiovisual materials explaining the history and course of the celebration.

Does the museum explain the history behind the festival itself? Yes — the exhibition references the medieval Pact of Teodomiro, the period of feudal conquest, and the institutionalization of the celebration, which exhibition materials trace to the year 1400, as well as the festival's modern re-founding in 1974.

What are the opening hours? Tuesday to Saturday 10:00-14:00 and 16:00-19:00, Sundays and holidays 10:00-14:00. In summer (June 15-September 13), Monday to Friday 9:00-15:00.